A much-awaited report released by the United Nations (UN)&nbsp;on Friday claimed that at least 500 people were executed by foreign fighters and the Malian army during an anti-militant operation carried out in March 2022.&nbsp;

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released the figures which revealed the worst atrocity the Sahel country has gone through since militant insurgency flared up in 2012.

The report is also the most damning document released till now against the armed forces of Mali and their foreign allies.

In the report, the&nbsp;nationality of foreign fighters has not been explicitly identified, although Mali has brought in Russians who are claimed to be Wagner mercenaries.

ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-9-killed-over-60-injured-after-triple-suicide-bombing-in-mali-585183"> At least nine killed, over 60 injured after triple suicide bombing in Mali</a>

Explaining the events that unfolded in Mali's central town of Moura between March 27 and March 31 last year, the OHCHR said that it had "reasonable grounds to believe that at least 500 people were killed in violation of norms, standards, rules and/or principles of international law."

The victims were "executed by the Malian Armed Forces&nbsp;and foreign military personnel" who were completely controlling the area, it said.

The UN peacekeeping mission's human rights division in Mali, MINUSMA published the report after a lengthy investigation.&nbsp;

According to the report, around 20 women and seven children were killed, while evidence indicated that 58 women and girls were victims of rape and sexual violence.&nbsp;

People who had been detained were tortured, it stated.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk termed the findings "extremely disturbing".

"Summary executions, rape and torture during armed conflict amount to war crimes and could, depending on the circumstances, amount to crimes against humanity," he said in a statement.

WATCH | Africa insurgency: Security experts say situation may get worse

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Mali's ruling junta did not react to the report on Friday. A military junta rules Mali after it toppled the elected president of the country in 2020 amid protests over the failure to counter the militants.&nbsp;

After taking over Mali, the junta brought in Russian operatives and warplanes to assist its beleaguered armed forces and broke ties with France, which was the traditional ally of the country.&nbsp;

The junta claims that Russians are providing military training and denies the accusations of them being Wagner mercenaries. 
 
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A much-awaited report released by the United Nations (UN) on Friday claimed that at least 500 people were executed by foreign fighters and the Malian army during an anti-militant operation carried out in March 2022.

A much-awaited report released by the United Nations (UN) on Friday claimed that at least 500 people were executed by foreign fighters and the Malian army during an anti-militant operation carried out in March 2022. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released the figures which revealed the worst atrocity the Sahel country has gone through since militant insurgency flared up in 2012. The report is also the most damning document released till now against the armed forces of Mali and their foreign allies. In the report, the nationality of foreign fighters has not been explicitly identified, although Mali has brought in Russians who are claimed to be Wagner mercenaries. ALSO READ | At least nine killed, over 60 injured after triple suicide bombing in Mali Explaining the events that unfolded in Mali's central town of Moura between March 27 and March 31 last year, the OHCHR said that it had "reasonable grounds to believe that at least 500 people were killed in violation of norms, standards, rules and/or principles of international law." The victims were "executed by the Malian Armed Forces and foreign military personnel" who were completely controlling the area, it said. The UN peacekeeping mission's human rights division in Mali, MINUSMA published the report after a lengthy investigation. According to the report, around 20 women and seven children were killed, while evidence indicated that 58 women and girls were victims of rape and sexual violence. People who had been detained were tortured, it stated. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk termed the findings "extremely disturbing". "Summary executions, rape and torture during armed conflict amount to war crimes and could, depending on the circumstances, amount to crimes against humanity," he said in a statement. WATCH | Africa insurgency: Security experts say situation may get worse Mali's ruling junta did not react to the report on Friday. A military junta rules Mali after it toppled the elected president of the country in 2020 amid protests over the failure to counter the militants. After taking over Mali, the junta brought in Russian operatives and warplanes to assist its beleaguered armed forces and broke ties with France, which was the traditional ally of the country. The junta claims that Russians are providing military training and denies the accusations of them being Wagner mercenaries. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

500 killed by Mali army, ‘foreign’ fighters in March 2022 anti-militant operation, says UN report

Libya's unity government Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said on Friday, he was unaware of any understanding between Russia and Turkey on a withdrawal of their foreign fighters, but that such a move would be welcomed. 
 
Speaking to Reuters in New York, Dbeibah also said he was committed to holding elections on December&nbsp;24, but warned that some lawmakers may be reluctant to give up power. Dbeibah, a businessman appointed interim prime minister in February, said he has not yet decided whether to run for office. 
 
Libya has had little stability since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, then head of state. A UN-led peace process brought a ceasefire last summer, after fighting between rival factions paused, and then a unity government. 
 
Following a UN-backed conference in Berlin last month, German and US&nbsp;officials said Turkey and Russia, which back opposing sides in Libya, reached an initial understanding on a step-by-step withdrawal of their foreign fighters. 
 
"I have not heard of this agreement regarding the withdrawal of fighters. But we welcome any agreement ... and we welcome the exit of any forces, fighters or mercenaries with any support from any party," Dbeibah said. "We are talking with all parties regarding the withdrawal of foreign forces from Libya." 
 
UN&nbsp;sanctions monitors have reported that thousands of Syrians had been fighting in Libya either alongside unity government troops, who were also advised by Turkish troops, or with Russia's Wagner group in support of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA). 
 
Under the ceasefire reached last October, all foreign fighters were supposed to have left Libya by January. 
 
Russia's deputy UN&nbsp;Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy told the Security Council on Thursday that Moscow supported a "step-by-step phased withdrawal of all foreign forces and contingents." 
 
"At the same time, we need to make sure that the current balance of forces on the ground not be disrupted, because it is thanks to this balance that the situation in Libya remains calm and no threats of armed escalation emerge," Polyanskiy added. 
 
Addressing the Security Council, Dbeibah said the continued presence of foreign fighters poses "a real and serious risk to the current political process and it also threatens the efforts to continue the ceasefire" and to uniting the army in Libya. 
 
Dbeibah told Reuters it would be "very difficult" to unify Libya's military. UN&nbsp;special envoy for Libya, Jan Kubis, said on Thursday that the LNA has not allowed Dbeibah`s unity government to take control of the area it commands. 
 
"Of course, communicating with Haftar, he is a difficult military person, but we communicate with him. But things are not easy," Dbeibah said during an interview at Libya's UN&nbsp;mission.

Libya's unity government Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said on Friday, he was unaware of any understanding between Russia and Turkey on a withdrawal of their foreign fighters, but that such a move would be welcomed.

Libya's unity government Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said on Friday, he was unaware of any understanding between Russia and Turkey on a withdrawal of their foreign fighters, but that such a move would be welcomed. Speaking to Reuters in New York, Dbeibah also said he was committed to holding elections on December 24, but warned that some lawmakers may be reluctant to give up power. Dbeibah, a businessman appointed interim prime minister in February, said he has not yet decided whether to run for office. Libya has had little stability since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, then head of state. A UN-led peace process brought a ceasefire last summer, after fighting between rival factions paused, and then a unity government. Following a UN-backed conference in Berlin last month, German and US officials said Turkey and Russia, which back opposing sides in Libya, reached an initial understanding on a step-by-step withdrawal of their foreign fighters. "I have not heard of this agreement regarding the withdrawal of fighters. But we welcome any agreement ... and we welcome the exit of any forces, fighters or mercenaries with any support from any party," Dbeibah said. "We are talking with all parties regarding the withdrawal of foreign forces from Libya." UN sanctions monitors have reported that thousands of Syrians had been fighting in Libya either alongside unity government troops, who were also advised by Turkish troops, or with Russia's Wagner group in support of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA). Under the ceasefire reached last October, all foreign fighters were supposed to have left Libya by January. Russia's deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy told the Security Council on Thursday that Moscow supported a "step-by-step phased withdrawal of all foreign forces and contingents." "At the same time, we need to make sure that the current balance of forces on the ground not be disrupted, because it is thanks to this balance that the situation in Libya remains calm and no threats of armed escalation emerge," Polyanskiy added. Addressing the Security Council, Dbeibah said the continued presence of foreign fighters poses "a real and serious risk to the current political process and it also threatens the efforts to continue the ceasefire" and to uniting the army in Libya. Dbeibah told Reuters it would be "very difficult" to unify Libya's military. UN special envoy for Libya, Jan Kubis, said on Thursday that the LNA has not allowed Dbeibah`s unity government to take control of the area it commands. "Of course, communicating with Haftar, he is a difficult military person, but we communicate with him. But things are not easy," Dbeibah said during an interview at Libya's UN mission.

Libya PM unaware of Russia, Turkey deal on foreign fighters

The United States is in talks with some of the key actors in Libya over the withdrawal of foreign forces ahead of elections planned for December, Washington's top Libya envoy said on Monday. 
 
Special Envoy for Libya Richard Norland told reporters that part of the importance of Libya's elections was so a fully empowered, credible and legitimate government could push foreign actors to pull out their troops. 
 
"That will be a very important development and ... very impactful, but we're not suggesting that we have to wait until next year to try to make some progress," Norland said ahead of US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken's travel to the Second Berlin Conference on Libya this week. 
 
"There are negotiations underway with some of the key actors aimed at trying to remove some of the mercenaries, the foreign fighters," Norland added. 
 
Libya has suffered a decade of chaos and violence since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising ousted the then head of state Muammar Gaddafi, but its two main warring sides this year consented to a new government. 
 
But while the installation of a unified administration and a push for national elections in December are seen as the best hope in years for a lasting political solution, the process is still fraught with challenges. 
 
Most territory is still controlled by local armed groups, major outside powers have not pulled foreign fighters from the front lines, and key figures disagree on the management of Libya's economic resources. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The United States is in talks with some of the key actors in Libya over the withdrawal of foreign forces ahead of elections planned for December, Washington's top Libya envoy said on Monday.

The United States is in talks with some of the key actors in Libya over the withdrawal of foreign forces ahead of elections planned for December, Washington's top Libya envoy said on Monday. Special Envoy for Libya Richard Norland told reporters that part of the importance of Libya's elections was so a fully empowered, credible and legitimate government could push foreign actors to pull out their troops. "That will be a very important development and ... very impactful, but we're not suggesting that we have to wait until next year to try to make some progress," Norland said ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's travel to the Second Berlin Conference on Libya this week. "There are negotiations underway with some of the key actors aimed at trying to remove some of the mercenaries, the foreign fighters," Norland added. Libya has suffered a decade of chaos and violence since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising ousted the then head of state Muammar Gaddafi, but its two main warring sides this year consented to a new government. But while the installation of a unified administration and a push for national elections in December are seen as the best hope in years for a lasting political solution, the process is still fraught with challenges. Most territory is still controlled by local armed groups, major outside powers have not pulled foreign fighters from the front lines, and key figures disagree on the management of Libya's economic resources. (With inputs from agencies)

Washington in talks over removal of foreign fighters from Libya: US envoy

An Australian court today convicted Sydney man Hamdi Al Qudsi of recruiting seven young men to travel overseas and fight alongside Islamic State and al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria, a spokeswoman for the court said. 
 
Al Qudsi, 42, was found guilty by the New South Wales state Supreme Court in Sydney of aiding the men to fight with extremist groups in 2013, the spokeswoman told Reuters. 
 
&quot;The charges were give money/goods to promote/support foreign hostile acts,&quot; she said. Each of the seven charges carries a 10 year prison sentence. Al Qudsi is yet to be sentenced. 
 
Prosecutors alleged that Al Qudsi made arrangements for the men to travel to Syria in 2013 for the purpose of fighting alongside groups listed by the Australian government as terrorist organisations. 
 
Under tough new security powers passed in 2014, Australians face up to a decade in prison for overseas travel to areas declared off limits, which includes the province of Raqqa in Syria, a key strategic hub for Islamic State militants. 
 
A copy of the indictment provided to Reuters lists seven men that Al Qudsi recruited to fight in Syria. Two of those men - Tyler Casey and Caner Temel - were killed in Syria, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported. 
 
Two other men listed in the indictment, Muhammed Abdul-Karim Musleh and Mehmet Biber, have since returned, the ABC said. 
 
About 100 people have left Australia for Syria to fight alongside organisations such as Islamic State, Australia&#39;s Immigration Minister said earlier this year. 
 
Australia, a staunch US ally, has been on heightened alert for attacks by home-grown radicals since 2014 and authorities say they have thwarted a number of plots. 
 
There have been several &quot;lone wolf&quot; assaults, including a 2014 cafe siege in Sydney that left two hostages and the gunman dead. Also in 2014, police shot dead a Melbourne teenager after he stabbed two counter-terrorism officers. 
 
In 2015, a 15-year-old boy fired on an accountant at a police headquarters in a Sydney suburb and was then killed in a gunfight with police. 
 
(Reuters)

Hamdi Al Qudsi made arrangements for seven young men to travel to Syria in 2013 to fight with IS, and gets 10 years in jail for each recruit

An Australian court today convicted Sydney man Hamdi Al Qudsi of recruiting seven young men to travel overseas and fight alongside Islamic State and al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria, a spokeswoman for the court said. Al Qudsi, 42, was found guilty by the New South Wales state Supreme Court in Sydney of aiding the men to fight with extremist groups in 2013, the spokeswoman told Reuters. "The charges were give money/goods to promote/support foreign hostile acts," she said. Each of the seven charges carries a 10 year prison sentence. Al Qudsi is yet to be sentenced. Prosecutors alleged that Al Qudsi made arrangements for the men to travel to Syria in 2013 for the purpose of fighting alongside groups listed by the Australian government as terrorist organisations. Under tough new security powers passed in 2014, Australians face up to a decade in prison for overseas travel to areas declared off limits, which includes the province of Raqqa in Syria, a key strategic hub for Islamic State militants. A copy of the indictment provided to Reuters lists seven men that Al Qudsi recruited to fight in Syria. Two of those men - Tyler Casey and Caner Temel - were killed in Syria, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported. Two other men listed in the indictment, Muhammed Abdul-Karim Musleh and Mehmet Biber, have since returned, the ABC said. About 100 people have left Australia for Syria to fight alongside organisations such as Islamic State, Australia's Immigration Minister said earlier this year. Australia, a staunch US ally, has been on heightened alert for attacks by home-grown radicals since 2014 and authorities say they have thwarted a number of plots. There have been several "lone wolf" assaults, including a 2014 cafe siege in Sydney that left two hostages and the gunman dead. Also in 2014, police shot dead a Melbourne teenager after he stabbed two counter-terrorism officers. In 2015, a 15-year-old boy fired on an accountant at a police headquarters in a Sydney suburb and was then killed in a gunfight with police. (Reuters)

Australian convicted of recruiting foreign fighters for Islamic State

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